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Meeting the boy who lived at 35 addresses

A BBC News story published today highlights the stories and experiences of young people in care, and highlights the importance of consistent, positive relationships. Venture Trust's Inspiring Young Futures programme supports young people in care to develop the skills and relationships they need to reach positive futures.

X-Factor contestant Ashley John-Baptiste (who was formerly in care himself), has been making a film for the BBC about young people's experience of the care system. As part of his research, he meets one boy who'd lived in 35 care placements, who tells that "one set of foster carers used to send me and my brother away at Christmas because they said that was family time". He meets another who finds herself with all her belongings in black plastic bags in the back of a taxi - having been given so little notice of the move that she'd not had time to pack.

However, he also reports finding great resiliance and motivation amongst those who've been in care:

"I don't want to be in the system no more. I don't want to be in the care system. I don't want to be in no benefits system. If I have a good education, I can obviously get a good job" - Sara, young woman in care.

Ashley's comment in the article - "I'll say to people you can't change your past, but you can change your future" - is strikingly similar to the message of Venture Trust's programmes. Venture Trust's Inspiring Young Futures programme is specifically desgined to help young people in care deal with the challenges they face, and to develop the skills they need to look ahead to more positive futures.

You can read the full story, entitled 'Foster Care: Meeting the boy who lived at 35 address' on the BBC's website.